An X-band high-efficiency MMIC power amplifier with 20-dB return losses

Describes the design principles and measured performance of an X-band high-efficiency monolithic-microwave-integrated-circuit (MMIC) power amplifier and discuss pertinent factors of the ion-implantation process. Also presented is a worst-case power prediction of the chip performance and a large-signal design using small-signal simulation. This balanced amplifier is fully monolithic with input and output return losses of better than 20 dB provided by Lange couplers. These return losses make it very convenient to cascade with other components. For high-efficiency operation, the drain voltage is 6 V. Across the 40% bandwidth from 8 to 12 GHz, the amplifier produces 1.6 to 2.1 W of output power at 33 to 40% power-added efficiency. For high-power operation, the drain voltage is 8.5 V. The amplifier can produce 2.4 to 2.8 W of output power at 26 to 29% power-added efficiency across the same 40% bandwidth.<
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